Ospreys 16 – 21 Connacht

Connacht Rugby secured their fourth win of the season today and a first win on the road to Ospreys since 2004.

Matt Healy and Bundee Aki both crossed for tries at the Liberty Stadium against an Ospreys side who had four of their Welsh international back in their match day squad.

Outhalf Jack Carty kicked two first half penalties with centre Craig Ronaldson taking over kicking duties after the break and kicking a conversion and penalty.

The hosts got themselves on the score board first, with outhalf Sam Davies firing over a penalty after an infringement at the breakdown on two minutes.

Pat Lam’s men had a chance to level matters almost immediately when number 8 Eoghan Masterson forced a penalty at the ruck, but Carty’s attempt from a difficult angle went wide.

The Athlone man was up at the tee again after ten minutes and slotted the more straightforward kick to make it 3 – 3.

There was a forced change to the side when Tiernan O’Halloran was removed on 14 minutes with suspected concussion following a collision in the air. Niyi Adeolokun was brought on to the wing for his first appearance of the season, and Darragh Leader slotted into full back.

Ospreys then clicked into gear with their first sustained attack as Eli Walker prised open the space in the wide channels putting Number 8 Dan Baker over in the corner – the try standing after the TMO checked for a forward pass.

Davies fumbled the conversion and soon after Carty missed another penalty, from the same angle as before.

Man of the Match Aki bolted deep into the Ospreys’ 22 but was held up just before the line. After a series of pick-and-goes no try came but Josh Matavesi was sin binned for a professional foul.

The resulting penalty saw Carty reduce the deficit to two points, though Davies could not convert an opportunity to respond from the tee after Connacht went off their feet.

With a one-man advantage, Connacht’s try came just before the half hour mark when Kieran Marmion broke off a five-metre scrum and offloaded to the onrushing Healy who touched down in the corner. Carty’s touchline conversion drifted wide

Lam’s men were pinged at the breakdown just before half-time to give Davies a shot at goal – but the 22-year-old was wayward again.

Half time: Ospreys 8 – 11 Connacht

The second half couldn’t have started better for Connacht with a try coming a matter of minutes after the restart. Man of the Match Aki charged over after receiving the offload from Ronaldson – who was on target with the conversion.

Ospreys brought on Wales internationals Paul James and Justin Tipuric for the last half hour but Aki’s defensive form continued, the centre forcing two knock-ons.

Davies shaved the gap down to seven points with a penalty from Davies, but he misjudged another eight minutes later after his side won a scrum against the head.

Following a number of forced substitutions, there was confusion in the back line and Connacht were penalised for crossing following an attacking lineout. The resulting penalty gave Ospreys their own lineout, which led to a try in the corner for Tipuric.

Davies missed the touchline conversion, leaving Connacht two points in front and Denis Buckley impressed by stealing the ball off Ospreys on two occasions to keep them out.

With five minutes on the clock, Connacht were attacking in the hosts’ 22 and following numerous phases had to settle for a penalty which Ronaldson slotted to put his side five points clear.

A huge defensive effort and a vital turnover in our own 22, allowed Leader to kick the ball out for the historic win at Liberty Stadium.